The brutal early schedule filled with power-conference teams led to a predictably slow start, but tonight's Conference USA football game against an in-state rival offers a chance to hit a reset button.

That's the theme on both Sun Bowl sidelines as 1-4 UTEP and 1-3 SMU -- squads that have shown lots of promise but little else -- look for something tangible to hang the rest of the season on, as the midpoint arrives.

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Bret Bloomquist

"SMU and UTEP are in similar situations," Miner coach Mike Price said. "SMU is similar to us. We've played some better teams, got banged around a bit. They played really well last week (in a loss to TCU) and got confidence from that."

A tough schedule, a slow start, "It's a fact of life," Mustang coach June Jones said. "I thought, like UTEP, we played hard, we haven't made plays. I'm sure UTEP will play their best game."

There isn't much choice if this season has a chance at salvation. A victory would only get UTEP to 2-4, but it would be 1-1 in Conference USA and could set up a Thursday showdown for control of an otherwise down West Division at Tulsa.

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In a year when so much of C-USA has struggled, the Miners wouldn't be in a bad place if they can beat the Mustangs. Lose and optimism is awfully contrived.

"This would be a huge momentum boost, it would revitalize our season," cornerback Drew Thomas said. "We need this win very badly."

"Right now we're 0-1 (in C-USA), actually 1-4, but we have seven more games to play," center Eloy Atkinson said. "If we can go 7-1, I'm confident we can play East Carolina in the championship game."

UTEP defensive back Darren Woodard pointed out this is the first game against the West Division that UTEP competes directly for a spot in the league title game.

"We can start it over, sure," he said. "This is our side of the conference, that's the main thing. We're at home, in the Sun Bowl and we can say we started conference off 1-0 on our side. We've had two away games, long trips. It's good to be back in El Paso."

The Sun Bowl has seen UTEP's two best performances of the year, the opening 24-7 loss to Oklahoma and the lone victory over New Mexico State. It has also seen some poor SMU performances, as UTEP has won six of the last seven at home.

To make that mean something, the Miners have to right an anemic offense that ranks 116th nationally in third-down conversions and 111th in points scored. UTEP would be 117th in points scored if not for hanging 41 on NMSU.

SMU, meanwhile, just held No. 14 TCU to 24 points, albeit in a driving rain, and has one of the best front sevens in C-USA.

"We have to get the season back on the right track and that depends on the offense," tight end Kevin Perry said. "The defense is playing really well, now it's time for the offense to step up. It's about ball control. We've had too many turnovers, too many three-and-outs, which are like turnovers. The defense is playing lights out; we have to do our job."

That could begin with the tight ends. Considered a team strength coming in, the four have combined for 11 catches.

"We've just got to keep going and work hard, and if we get the opportunities, be ready to take advantage of them," tight end Kevin Wenrick said. "Their defensive line is big, their linebackers are big, but we're big, too. It's just confidence."

"They are going to be a more important part in the offense," Price said of the tight ends. "They didn't have many chances last week. It doesn't take a genius to figure out we need to get the ball to the tight ends more."

The other big parts are to keep running back Nathan Jeffery churning out yards and for quarterback Nick Lamaison to find his form after struggling at East Carolina.

"We have to run the ball better, pass the ball better, put points on the board," Jeffery said. "We've got to put ourselves in third-and-short, not third-and-long. We have to put the past behind us and start now."

SMU's offense, meanwhile, presents a unique challenge. The Mustangs spread the field with a four-receiver set behind strong-armed quarterback Garrett Gilbert, then gash opponents with the running of Zach Line, who was seventh nationally last year in rushing. He averages 86 yards per game this year.

Jones "likes you to think you have to stop the pass, then he'll throw Line in on you," Price said. "Line doesn't get all that yardage from people trying to stop the run, but we're definitely trying to stop the run.

"You can't give June Jones any one thing. You take away the run, they'll beat you with the pass. We'll have to change up coverages and put pressure on the quarterback."

Defensive coordinator Andre Patterson said much the same thing.

"You can't go in saying you are going to load up the box and stop 48 (Line), they'll kill you with the passing game," Patterson said. "You've got to take your shots and guess when the run is coming."

Jones agrees with the assessment about his team needing balance.

"We have to be able to throw the ball to get the run going," he said.

Mostly what UTEP needs to stop is a two-game losing streak. Do that and there is plenty in front of them in the final six games.

"We've performed against top teams, now we have to transfer it over and play these guys like they are a top-caliber team," linebacker Josh Fely said.

"We need a conference win," safety Shane Huhn said. "If we get that one under our belt, we'll feel better."

If they get that under their belt, there will still be much on the table.

Bret Bloomquist may be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; 546-6359. Follow him on Twitter @bretbloomquist.